(Newser)
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For a Russian tourist who's accused of climbing the Brooklyn Bridge, the punishment may fit the crime. Prosecutors suggested a deal involving 90 days in jail for Yaroslav Kolchin, but judge ShawnDya L. Simpson doesn't think that's a great idea. Instead, she suggested he be required to clean the bridge, CBS New York reports. "This young man has no record," Simpson said. "It may not have been the smartest thing to do, but malicious? I don't think so."

Kolchin, police say, ascended a cable beam; after reaching a landing, he began snapping pictures. A helicopter was deployed to get him down, CBS notes; boats were also summoned, the New York Times reports. When the helicopter approached, Kolchin reportedly headed back down. "If he likes the Brooklyn Bridge so much, let him clean the bridge. I don't know, work it out," Simpson said. Mayor Bill de Blasio said, per the Times, that "the (city) response was very, very quick." However, it cost police some $7,400, prosecutors note. (Read more Brooklyn Bridge stories.)

"it cost police some $7,400"...I get tired of seeing this kind of garbage. Weren't they already on-duty? Weren't the boats and helicopters already out working? They brought no extra people in to work, and didn't buy any special equipment for this. Tax payers already paid for these services and to treat them as an added expense is a lie.

CommentsOnArticles

Sep 1, 2014 12:59 AM CDT

Hey Yaroslav, if you like to climb a bridge, then we have a bridge in Brooklyn for you to clean...have fun!

$115803099

Aug 31, 2014 11:24 PM CDT

Some loser thought he could get away with it. I say make him scrub the bridge down with a tooth brush.